2012 CHARDONNAY Felton Road. Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand

From the Bannockburn vineyards (3 different sites) the estate operates fully now under biodynamic practices – aptly described by Simon as “Organics meets Harry Potter”! The grapes were whole bunched pressed and fermented in French oak barrels (10% new) with natural yeasts. The wine was then aged (and stirred) on lees for 12 months. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Founded in 1991 by Simon Greening, Felton Road in Central Otago (Southern Island) is considered by many to be the finest Estate in New Zealand. Specialising in both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (along with some amazing Rieslings) and under the expertise of Gareth King – Viticulture – and Blair Walter – Winemaking – Felton Road has just gone from strength to strength.

2012 was a relatively even and not excessively hot vintage, with good flower set in a warm December, but then cooling southerly winds and nicely punctuated rainfall kept vines refreshed and growth regulated, and extended ripening to create an excellent fruit harvest with fine levels of acidity.

This represents an amazing opportunity to taste a fully mature and refined New World Chardonnay made to the Burgundian model and style. Still possessing a stone fruit and citrus core but with a lovely bottled aged nuttiness now to the wine. It is textural and refreshing with a touch of minerality on the finish. Serve chilled but not too cold in good sized Burgundy glasses.

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